The hidden effects of COVID-19 on HIV services in Zanzibar: country report.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on HIV-related healthcare services. Zanzibar has experienced several interruptions of HIV services in the areas of testing and counselling, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, key population, care and treatment services as well due to the hospital operating at a reduced capacity and the strict visit restrictions with health care allocations to COVID 19 pandemic. The community HIV initiatives, such as index testing and ARVs medicine refills, were used to mitigate the consequences of the epidemic and can be applied in future emergencies.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus among HIV-positive patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Referral Hospital, Northern Tanzania.

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus are prevalent infections in sub-Saharan Africa, but information on the prevalence of co-infection is limited. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among people living with HIV receiving care and treatment at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Referral Hospital in northern Tanzania.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2015 among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) aged 15 years and above attending the Care and Treatment Clinic for routine care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre.